“About average,” Joshua said with a weary smile.
Clayton leaned back, one hand coming to rest on Colin’s shoulder. “How about you, hotshot? You still standing?”
“Goddamn right,” Colin growled out.
“Knew you would be.”
“Good to see you, Obi-Wan.”
“Damn good to see you both.” He tilted his head toward Esther, who was walking toward them. “Boss lady’s on a holy fuckingtear. I wouldn’t cross her with body armor and a priest.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah! God helpanyoneconnected to Lexi Moreno. She’s even got the warden of Red Onion jumping when she barks.” He laughed softly and patted Colin’s shoulder.
Esther moved to where the men stood and embraced both Colin and Joshua. She paused for a moment, then tilted her head toward the house. “What’s the verdict?”
Joshua gave a soft laugh. “So to speak.”
Colin slid an arm around him. “The verdict so far is that the house can be saved—and maybe even improved. David found a contractor who’s sharp as hell and ready to start today if…” He waved a hand toward the officers still scattered across the lawn. “Can’t we move this along, Esther? Leave us in peace to start rebuilding our lives?”
Esther nodded once. “I’ll clear this scene before nightfall.”
Colin exhaled slowly and leaned into Joshua. “OK,” he said quietly. “We’ll tell Kingsley he can start tomorrow.”
“Thathim?” Norm asked, nodding toward the house.
Colin turned to see David and Kingsley walking toward them. “God, I just hope he’s right,” Colin muttered.
“And that he’s as good as he seems to be,” Joshua added, propped against Colin’s solid frame.
Esther laid a hand on Colin’s arm, and he turned back to face her. “City Council authorized paid administrative leave starting now. Minimum of three weeks, possibly longer, depending on how you’re doing. Esther laid a hand on Colin’s arm. “It isn’t optional. You were the target of a violent crime, and you lost a colleague. That means mandatory leave until you get a clean bill of health. There’s nothing on your desk that we can’t handle.”
Colin bowed his head in silent acceptance, but Joshua moved to embrace her, his voice quivering. “Thank you, Esther.”
She kissed both their cheeks, then turned and moved toward their car. After three paces, she stopped and turned back to face them. “I’m also filing a claim on your behalf with the city. Reimbursements for damage to the house.” She shrugged. “Can’t hurt.”
Clayton embraced Colin, reaching to pat Joshua’s shoulder as he did. “Call me if you need anything.” He gripped Colin’s shoulders with both hands. “And I meananything.”
Both men nodded and watched as Esther and Norm moved past the remaining officers to their car. Then Colin drew in a deep breath and turned back to face their home. “Are you ready for this, bud?”
“As ready as I’m apt to get.”
Colin nodded, and they moved, in step, toward their home.
Kingsley stood near what used to be the front door, clipboard in hand, one boot propped on the scorched threshold. He lookedup as Joshua and Colin stepped cautiously across the cracked walkway, their expressions unreadable.
The air carried the stubborn scent of soaked ash and scorched wood, a damp, smoky heaviness that clung to everything like an ugly memory that refused to fade.
Kingsley gave a slight nod. “It’s stable enough to walk through. Watch your step in the dining room—there’s still some char along the floor joists.” He reached out and nudged Colin’s arm. In his hand were two N95 masks. “Mask up before you go in there.”
Colin didn’t speak. His eyes locked on the gaping blackened hole where the window used to be, and his jaw clenched. His hand rose instinctively to the center of his chest, as if it still expected the familiar weight of a badge long gone. He hadn’t wanted to come back inside. Not again. Not until they’d painted over the soot and scrubbed the last trace of smoke from the air.
But Joshua was here. And there was no way in hell he’d let him walk through it alone. He shoved the fear down deep—the way he always had during a midnight call-out or a silent standoff in the dark—but this time, it didn’t sink. It lodged there, hard and immovable. A stone in his chest.
Joshua swallowed hard, forcing back the lump… the tears. “We’ll be careful,” he muttered, his voice tight, blunted by the mask.
They stepped inside. Kingsley followed, silent while they took it in. Every sound was muffled as if the walls weren’t sure whether to echo or absorb their pain.
